Level 2

Before reading this page, take this short quiz.

KEY POINTS:

  • Two government agencies regulate the labeling of food-the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  • Following the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) is mandatory for foods regulated by the FDA. 1 Visit the section on Simple Label Reading for more information on FALCPA.
  • Allergen labeling is voluntary for food products regulated by the USDA.
    • Most manufacturers of foods regulated by the USDA label their products for allergens.
      • The USDA believes they have 80% to 90% voluntary compliance with FALCPA-like allergen labeling. 2

    Some indications that a manufacturer of a USDA-regulated food is voluntarily following FALCPA-like allergen labeling include 'Contains' statements and allergens included in the ingredients list in parentheses.
  • The FDA regulates all food products with the exception of egg products, meat products, and poultry products.
  • The USDA regulates "egg products" (meaning eggs outside of their shells, which are considered, dried, frozen, or liquid whole eggs, egg yolks, and egg whites with or without added ingredients), meat products, and poultry products.
  • Meat products and poultry products include processed meat and processed poultry as well as mixed food products containing in general 3% raw meat or 2% or more cooked meat or poultry. 
    • If an egg product is regulated by the USDA it will include a shield on product packaging.
      USDA Shield
    • If a meat, poultry or mixed food product containing meat or poultry is regulated by the USDA it will include a mark of inspection on product packaging.
      inspected
    • Example egg products: some Egg Beater products
    • Note: Egg substitutes, such as products containing egg whites but no whole egg, that have added colorings to make them look like a whole egg product are not regulated by USDA. They are regulated by the FDA.
    • Example meat products: packaged deli-sliced roast beef, hot dogs, bacon
    • Note: Milk and milk products, although they come from cows, are not considered meat products. Milk and milk products are regulated by the FDA.
    • Example poultry products: seasoned chicken breast, packaged deli-sliced turkey breast; canned chicken
    • Example mixed food products that might be regulated by the USDA depending upon how much meat or poultry they contain: beef stew, Asian style rice and beef
  • For FDA-regulated foods not labeled gluten-free, read the food label looking for these words and terms: 3,4,5
    • "Wheat"
    • "Barley"
    • "Rye"
    • "Oats"
    • "Malt" (unless a gluten-free source is named, like corn malt)
    • "Brewer's yeast"
    • "Yeast extract"

    If you do not see any of these words on the label of an FDA-regulated food, the product is unlikely to include any gluten-containing ingredients. Please visit Level 3 for more information on yeast extract.
  • For USDA-regulated foods not labeled gluten-free and not voluntarily complying with FALCPA, read the food label looking for these words and terms: 3,4,5
    • "Wheat"
    • "Barley"
    • "Rye"
    • "Oats"
    • "Malt"
    • "Brewer's yeast"
    • "Yeast extract"
    • "Starch" (unless a gluten-free source is named)
    • "Dextrin" (unless a gluten-free source is named)
    • "Modified food starch" (unless a gluten-free source is named)

    If you do not see any of these ingredients on the label of a USDA-regulated food, the product is unlikely to include any gluten-containing ingredients. Please visit Level 3 for more information on yeast extract.
  • You also may want to familiarize yourself with the other common or usual names for "wheat flour" that rarely may be used in the ingredients list of a USDA-regulated food product:6

TAKE HOME MESSAGES:

  • Both the FDA and USDA regulate the labeling of food in the United States.
  • Allergen labeling (FALCPA) is mandatory for FDA-regulated food.
  • Allergen labeling is voluntary for USDA-regulated food.
  • The FDA regulates almost all the food you eat.
  • The USDA regulates egg products, meat products, and poultry products, including some mixed food products.
  • For all food products not labeled gluten-free you should read the food label looking for the words and terms "wheat," "barley," "rye," "malt," "oats," and "brewer's yeast" and "yeast extract."
  • For USDA regulated foods only you ALSO should look for the words and terms, "starch," "dextrin," and "modified food starch."

RESOURCES FOR YOU:

Thompson T, Case S. Food Labeling in the United States and Canada. In Real Life with Celiac Disease: Troubleshooting and Thriving Gluten-Free . Eds. Dennis M, Leffler D. AGA Press. Bethesda, MD, 2010.

Thompson T, Brown Marlisa. American Dietetic Association's Easy Gluten-Free: Expert Nutrition Advice with More than 100 Recipes . John Wiley and Sons. Hoboken, NJ, 2010.

Gluten-Free Dietitian. Labeling of USDA-Regulated Foods. http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/newsletter/labeling-of-usda-regulated-foods/ . Accessed October 18, 2011.

References:

  1. US Food and Drug Administration. Center for Safety and Applied Nutrition. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Title II of Public Law 108-282). August 2004. http://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/FoodAllergensLabeling/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation
    /ucm106187.htm. Accessed October 13, 2011.
  2. Gluten-Free Dietitian. Labeling of USDA-Regulated Foods.http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/newsletter/labeling-of-usda-regulated-foods/ . Accessed October 18, 2011.
  3. Thompson, T. ADA Pocket Guide to Gluten-Free Strategies for Clients with Multiple Diet Restrictions. American Dietetic Association. Chicago, IL, 2011.
  4. Celiac Disease Toolkit. American Dietetic Association. Chicago, IL, 2011
  5. Gluten-Free Dietitian. Update on gluten-free status of yeast extract.http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/newsletter/2013/02/07/update-on-gluten-free-status-of-yeast-extract/ . Accessed December 4, 2013.
  6. Thompson T, Brown M. American Dietetic Association's Easy Gluten-Free: Expert Nutrition Advice with More than 100 Recipes. John Wiley and Sons. Hoboken, NJ, 2010.

Revision Date: 12-18-13 
Author: Tricia Thompson, MS, RD 
Editors: Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN and Daniel Leffler, MD, MS

CeliacNow Disclaimer